Multiple lamp reflector



Sept. 24, 1940. UBSON 2,216,084 I MULTIPLE LAMP REFLECTOR Filed Nov. 30,1938 INV ENTOR lSAAGJZLIBSON BY HIS ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 2,216,084 MULTIPLE LAMP REFLECTOR.

Isaac J. Libson, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application November 3 3 Claims.

- This invention relates to multiple lamp reflectors, and moreparticularly to reflectors of this character adapted to reflect raysfrom parallel elongated light sources, such as luminous 5 tubes.

The main object of this invention is to provide a multiple lampreflector constructed of interchangeable parts which can be readilyassembled to accommodate different numbers and i arrangements of lamps.

Other objects are to simplify and improve the construction and assemblyof reflectors of this character. Further objects and features of noveltywill be apparent from the following description and the accompanyingdrawing in which Figure l is an elevation of a multiple lamp reflectorassembly according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;20 Figure 2 isa top plan view of the device shown in Figure 1, part ofthe top being broken away to show the construction therebelow;

Figure 3 is an elevation of one of the interchangeable reflectorelements;

Figure 4 is an elevation of oneof the interchangeable joiner posts;

Figure 5 is an elevation of one of the interchangeable tie rods;

Figure 6 is a detail plan of assembly of Fig- 30 ures 3, 4 and 5;

Figure 7 is a plan of a modification of Figure 2, the top plate beingremoved; and

Figure 8 is a modification of Figure 7.

The essential advantage of the construction is the fact that it is madealmost entirely of structural units which are interchangeable and whichare easy to manufacture and assemble. The multiple reflector is intendedfor use in a lighting fixture or reflector assembly containing a 40plurality of elongated light sources such as fluorescent tubes, andprovides an individual reflecting surface for each tube, the entiredevice preferably consisting of aluminum or an alloy of same. a As shownin Figure 3, each concave reflector element ID has a lip or flange IIbent over at each longitudinal edge. Two adjacent reflector elements areadapted to be held together by a joining means such as a small tube l2say u," in diameter, which is split or otherwise provided with alongitudinalslot or open scam I 3 therein permitting introduction of thelips of the two adjacent reflecting surfaces.

These lips and the space inside the tube are such that the two adjacentreflecting surfaces o, 1938, serial No. 24:4;253

can be arranged. in transverse alignment or swung back against eachother so that the reflection from the two tubes is thrown out at aseparating angle, i. e., the combined reflectors are intended for useeither as a generally flat 5 surface or as a generally convex surface.It will be observed that each reflecting surface is the same as the nextone, provided the length of fluorescent tube is not changed; so that forone length of fluorescent tube it is necessary to carry 10 in stock onlyone length of reflector unit and one length split tube unit.

To assemble these units into a complete device there are needed a topplate I, a bottom plate l5 and the rods ii to tie the plates to- IIgether and hold the reflectors and tubes in position. These rods (8'pass through the split tubes l2 and of course the rods are all the samefor any one length of fluorescent tube.

The top and bottom plates will of course vary according to the shape ofthe particular unit which isbeing built up, and these end platestherefore are the only units which difler from one assembly to another.

Each reflector surface carries the necessary sockets I! for the ends ofthe fluorescent tubes, and on the back of the reflector is mounted thetransformer I8 for each individual tube. The wires for the unit enterthrough one of the plates, for example at 20 to the interior of thedevice where easy access is obtained .to the transformer and end socketwires. When the nuts l9 are screwed on to the ends of the threaded tierods, the device becomes rigid, and when the nuts are taken off and theend plate removed, any single reflector surface can easily be removed orreplaced or top and bottom plates changed if for any, reason thisbecomes desirable. i

It will be observed that in this arrangement 40 of parts we have flrstthe concave reflecting surface in back of the tube, which is necessaryto give the proper reflection of the light from that tube, and a pivotalrelation between two adjacent reflecting surfaces varying from astraight line to a convexity composed of perhaps as few as fourreflecting surfaces to coma non-fluorescent tubular type of lamp such asv the Lumiline type, no transformers are required, and thus as few asthree reflecting surfaces doubtless could be used for a completecircular fixture shown in Figure 8. It should also be noted that atpresent the fluorescent type of tube is made in 18", 24" and 36" lengthswhich apparently have become standard, so that it would be necessaryonly to carry three lengths of stock and possibly the 18" could beproduced by cutting the 36" in half, so that only two lengths wouldnecessarily have to be carried.

From the foregoing descriptiouit will be apparent not only that theunits are each of them quite simple in manufacture, involving noirregular projections or the like, but that the entire device isassembled and made rigid without the use of solder, rivets, brazing oranything of that nature. The devicecan be disassembled and assembled inanother form without any trouble.

Another point of advantage is that the individual parts comprising thecomplete reflector are all substantially flat, so that they may bepacked and shipped in quite compact form. The device can be used eitherin a vertical, horizontal or any other position, and may be suspended orotherwise.

I claim:

1. In a multiple lamp reflector, a plurality of elongated transverselyconcave metal reflector elements each 'havingits two parallellongitudinal margins flanged inwardly toward the concave side thereofand thereby formed into anchoring means, rigid tubes each having alongitudinal slot receiving a pair of said anchoring margins comprisingthe adjacent margins of adjacent reflectors, transverse end platesengaging the ends of "said reflector elements and having-holesregisteringwith said tubes, and tie bolts passing through saidtubes for spreading said anchorin margins and for holding saidreflectorsin position and having projecting ends passing through saidregistering holes in said end plates, and nuts on said projecting endsfor securing said end plates thereon.

2. In a multiple lamp reflector, a plurality of elongated transverselyconcave metal reflector elements each having its two parallellongitudinal margins deformed to project inwardly toward the concaveside thereof and thereby formed into anchoring means, rigid tubes eachhaving a l0n-.

gitudinal slot, one margin of each of a pair of said reflectors beinginserted into said tube with the adjacent portions of their reflectorslying in said slot, transverse end plates engaging the ends of saidreflector elements anad having holes registering with said tubes, a lampon the concave reflecting side and a transformer therefor on the reverseside of each reflector, tie bolts passing through said tubes and havingprojecting threaded ends passing through said registering holes,andlnuts onsaid threaded ends for holding said margins, reflectors andend plates in position.

3. In a multiple lamp reflector, a plurality of elongated transverselyconcave reflector elements each having one of its two parallellongitudinal margins arranged adjacent to the opposite one of they twoparallel longitudinal margins of another, said margins'beingtransversely deformed toward the concave side of said reflectors to formanchors and being coextensive in length and said adjacent marginsforming complementary pairs,

a joiner element comprising a slotted tube having oppositely disposededges constituting the sides of the slot thereof and forming retainers,said slotted tube receiving said margins therein'in divergent relationwith the retainer edges of each slot fitting into the corners of thereflector'elements formed by the deforming of the marginal anchors, andlocking means within said joiner element comprising a separate elementlongitudinally'inserted therein and cooperating with the inner walls ofsaid tube adjacent to said retainer ,edges for spreading said deformedmarginal anchors and locking said marginal anchors andsaid joinerelement together.

ISA'AC J. LIBSON.

